Cbe  Ulmvereits  of  Chicago 


FOUNDED  BY  JOHN  D.  ROCKEFELLER 


BULLETIN  OF  INFORMATION 


Vol.  XVII 


SEPTEMBER  1917 


No.  5 


THE  AMERICAN  INSTITUTE  OF 
SACRED  LITERATURE 


Home  Study  of  the  Bible  in  Hebrew, 
Greek,  and  English,  and  Courses  in 
the  History  of  Religion,  Theology,  and 
=====  Religious  Education  :■  ■ 

FOR  MINISTERS  AND  LAYMEN 


THE  UNIVERSITY  OF  CHICAGO  PRESS 
CHICAGO,  ILLINOIS 


Published  by  the  University  of  Chicago  five  times  a  year:  March,  April,  May,  June,  and  September 
Entered  as  second-class  matter,  March  14,  1914.  at  the  Post-office  at  Chicago,  HI., 
under  the  Act  of  August  24,  1912 


THE  EXECUTIVE  COMMITTEE 


Ernest  D.  Burton,  Chairman 
Shailer  Mathews 
Gerald  B.  Smith 
Theodore  G.  Soares 
Edgar  J.  Goodspeed 
Daniel  D.  Luckenbill 
Ozora  Davis 
Paul  Vincent  Harper 
Henry  B.  Sharman 
Charles  A.  Young 

THE  EXECUTIVE  SECRETARY 


Georgia  L,  Chamberlin 


I.  GENERAL  INFORMATION 


The  American  Institute  of  Sacred  Literature  is  a  department  of  the  University 
of  Chicago,  although  as  an  organization  it  antedates  the  University  by  ten  years. 
It  was  incorporated  in  the  University  in  1905.  The  Institute  was  organized  and 
conducted  by  the  first  president  of  the  University  as  an  independent  educational 
enterprise,  having  for  its  advisory  council  seventy  of  the  leading  biblical  and  theo¬ 
logical  teachers  of  this  country  and  Canada,  and  as  its  financial  supporters  two 
hundred  or  more  persons  who  were  interested  in  its  aims  and  work.  At  present 
the  Institute  is  the  department  through  which  the  University  conducts  all  non¬ 
resident  biblical  and  religious  work.  A  committee  consisting  of  six  members  of 
the  Faculty  of  the  Divinity  School,  and  five  others,  with  a  permanent  chairman 
and  an  executive  secretary,  are  the  administrative  officers. 

Extent  of  the  Work. — Since  the  organization  of  the  Institute  in  1889,  more  than 
one  hundred  thousand  persons  have  pursued  its  courses.  The  average  membership 
is  about  six  thousand  students  annually.  These  students,  or  members,  are  from 
churches  of  all  denominations.  They  include  young  people,  and  more  mature 
people  who  wish  to  study  under  guidance.  Although  fewer  in  number,  the  minis¬ 
terial  constituency  of  the  Institute  is  its  most  loyal  and  earnest  body  of  students, 
comprising  ministers  of  every  Protestant  denomination  and  some  Roman  Catholics. 
Although  chiefly  from  the  United  States  and  Canada,  individual  students  are  found 
in  many  foreign  countries.  In  China,  through  the  co-operation  of  members  of  an 
important  educational  institution  in  that  country,  the  courses  of  the  Institute  are 
doing  good  service. 

Registration  and  Credit. — Students  may  register  at  any  time,  although  the 
majority  follow  the  school  year  from  September  to  June.  Fees  vary  in  amount 
according  to  the  character  of  the  work.  For  definite  terms  see  paragraphs  below. 
Credit  by  certificate  (not  leading  to  a  degree)  is  given  for  all  courses  upon  pres¬ 
entation  of  reports.  Students  holding  these  certificates  receive  honor  seals  upon 
the  diplomas  of  the  Chautauqua  Literary  and  Scientific  Circle,  and  credit  from  all 
important  Sunday-school  and  teacher-training  organizations.  Under  certain 
conditions  credit  toward  a  degree  will  be  given  for  work  done  in  the  advanced 
correspondence  courses.  Registration  is  not  limited  to  those  who  desire  certificates. 

Outline  Bible-Study  Courses. — The  Institute  offers  sixteen  elementary  courses 
of  Bible  study,  covering  a  large  variety  of  subjects,  which  present  systematic 
work  for  popular  study.  These  courses  are  adapted  for  study  by  individuals  work¬ 
ing  alone,  or  by  classes  and  clubs  under  leadership.  Fee,  50  cents  or  25  cents, 
according  to  the  length  of  the  course.  (See  pp.  5-8.) 

The  Ministers’  Reading  Guild. — This  provides  a  series  of  reading  courses,  of 
which  there  are  now  eleven,  upon  subjects  of  professional  interest  to  ministers 
and  teachers.  These  courses  are  arranged  by  leading  scholars  from  many  insti¬ 
tutions,  and  are  of  the  greatest  assistance  to  individual  ministers  who  wish  to 
keep  abreast  of  the  times  in  subjects  relating  to  religion  and  theology.  Groups 
of  ministers  frequently  choose  a  course  from  this  series  for  concerted  work. 
Fee  50  cents.  (See  p.  9  ) 


3 


4 


THE  UNIVERSITY  OF  CHICAGO 


Home-Reading  Courses. — A  series  of  Home-Reading  Courses  is  inaugurated 
with  the  present  year.  It  will  be  the  purpose  of  these  courses  to  provide  brief 
popular  reading  courses  for  parents,  teachers,  and  others  who  are  interested  in 
home  conditions.  Not  more  than  four  or  five  books  will  be  placed  upon  any  one 
course.  The  first  subject  to  be  presented  is  “Religion  in  the  Home.,,  Registra¬ 
tion  fee  50  cents.  (See  p.  11.) 

Traveling  Libraries. — Libraries  which  contain  the  books  of  one  course  (ten 
to  twenty  standard  volumes)  are  circulated  for  the  convenience  of  members  of  the 
Ministers’  Reading  Guild.  The  period  of  loan  is  four  months,  with  privilege  of 
purchase,  thus  affording  an  opportunity  for  the  building  up  of  private  libraries 
after  seeing  and  using  the  books.  The  fee  for  a  library  is  $3.50,  carriage  prepaid. 
(See  p.  9.) 

Survey  Courses  for  Sunday-School  Teachers. — Elementary  correspondence 
courses  are  offered  for  the  special  benefit  of  Sunday-school  teachers.  Each  course 
comprises  twenty  lessons  upon  which  written  recitations  are  required.  The 
instruction  is  entirely  individual,  but  less  thorough  than  in  the  advanced  corre¬ 
spondence  courses.  Fee  $5.00.  (See  p.  4.) 

Advanced  Correspondence  Courses. — Courses  giving  instruction  in  Hebrew, 
New  Testament  Greek,  Arabic,  the  English  Bible,  theology,  church  history,  and 
religious  education  are  offered  in  this  department.  These  courses  are  of  the  same 
grade  as  those  offered  in  the  University  classroom,  and  in  many  cases  have  the  same 
instructor.  For  entrance  to  these  courses  the  regular  matriculation  fee  to  the 
University — $5.00 — is  required  in  addition  to  the  tuition  fee,  which  varies  from 
$8.00  to  $16.00  according  to  the  length  of  the  course.  (See  p.  12.) 

Publications. — The  official  publications  of  this  organization  are  two :  a  Bulletin 
of  Information  which  is  issued  annually,  and  the  Institute ,  which  is  published 
monthly  at  a  subscription  price  of  50  cents  a  year.  Through  these  two  publica¬ 
tions  announcements  are  made  and  interesting  reports  distributed .  In  the  I nstitute 
are  published  each  year  one  or  two  new  Outline  Bible-Study  Courses  (for  new 
courses  for  1917-18,  see  p.  5).  Through  the  Institute  is  also  given  the  instruction 
material  in  Home-Reading  Courses.  The  Biblical  World,  published  by  the  Uni¬ 
versity  of  Chicago,  presents  two  new  Reading  Courses  for  Ministers.  These  are 
prepared  by  the  Institute,  and  later  carried  as  permanent  courses.  (See  p.  10.) 

An  Educational  Task. — The  Institute  is  conducting  an  educational  task  of  the 
greatest  importance.  It  represents  modern  and  progressive  scholarship  in  the 
field  of  religion,  adjusted  to  popular  needs  as  well  as  to  those  of  ministers  and  trained 
students.  Each  student  is  of  personal  interest  to  those  who  conduct  the  courses, 
and  correspondence  is  invited  on  any  theme  relating  to  his  work,  or  its  application 
to  some  specific  task  in  which  he  may  be  engaged.  Many  people  who  are  now 
engaged  in  religious  work  of  a  high  type  took  their  first  steps  toward  that  end 
through  the  Institute  courses. 


THE  AMERICAN  INSTITUTE  OF  SACRED  LITERATURE 


5 


II.  OUTLINE  BIBLE-STUDY  COURSES 

These  courses  are  prepared  for  the  untechnical  reader  who  desires  to  know 
his  Bible  systematically  and  to  keep  abreast  of  the  times  in  his  interpretation  of  it. 
They  require  the  minimum  of  time,  about  fifteen  minutes  daily,  but  continue 
consecutively  for  from  five  to  nine  months,  thus  in  the  end  devoting  to  a  single 
theme  sufficient  time  to  gain  a  good  knowledge  of  it.  These  courses  do  not  deal 
with  critical  questions  as  such.  They  are  based  upon  the  results  of  modern  scholar¬ 
ship,  and  are  entirely  constructive  in  spirit  and  purpose. 

Enrolment. — Courses  may  be  commenced  at  any  time,  although  the  majority 
of  registrations  are  made  in  the  autumn.  Any  person  enrolling  for  a  course  is  con¬ 
sidered  a  member  of  the  Institute  for  the  period  of  the  course.  As  such  he  has  the 
privilege  of  informal  correspondence  concerning  his  work. 

Form  of  the  Instruction. — Each  year  new  courses  are  published  in  the 
Institute  as  noted  below,  in  monthly  form  and  so  circulated  until  completion. 
They  are  then  placed  in  a  permanent  pamphlet  form  averaging  from  seventy  to 
one  hundred  pages,  and  continued  in  circulation  as  long  as  needed.  The  work 
of  each  month  presents  specific  directions  for  the  study  of  biblical  selections  for 
thirty  days,  and  a  series  of  questions  upon  the  results  of  the  work.  In  following 
out  this  instruction,  only  the  Bible  is  required.  Students  are  thus  led  to  study 
the  Bible  itself  rather  than  books  about  it. 

Fees. — -The  fee  for  membership  in  the  Institute  is  50  cents  each  year.  The 
course  book  for  the  subject  selected  is  sent  upon  receipt  of  this  fee  and  4  cents 
additional  for  postage.  Should  any  prefer  not  to  be  registered  as  members  of  the 
Institute,  the  course  books  can  be  purchased  at  54  cents  each,  postpaid  except 
in  the  case  of  half-courses  which  are  25  cents  each. 

Bible  Clubs. — The  Outline  courses  have  furnished  the  basis  of  work  for  thou¬ 
sands  of  groups  which  may  be  called  Bible  clubs.  These  groups  are  most  fre¬ 
quently  led  by  ministers,  but  often  by  laymen,  and  sometimes  by  the  rotation  of 
members  in  the  club.  Leaders  are  provided  with  a  special  pamphlet  giving  topics 
for  discussion,  devices  for  promoting  interest  in  the  study,  and  well-selected  refer¬ 
ences  for  reading. 

Length  of  Courses. — All  the  courses  are  planned  for  nine  months  upon  a  single 
subject  unless  otherwise  stated.  They  may,  however,  be  taken  up  at  any  time 
and  continued  to  completion  without  further  fee. 

Certificates. — A  certificate  is  given  to  any  person  answering  the  twenty  ques¬ 
tions  forming  the  review  of  each  month’s  work.  Special  blanks  upon  which  the 
answers  may  be  sent  in  are  provided  upon  application  with  cost  of  postage  (2  cents). 
See  p.  3,  paragraph  on  credit. 

THE  INSTITUTE  CONTAINING  NEW  OUTLINE  BIBLE-STUDY 
COURSES  FOR  1917-18  AND  HOME-READING  COURSE 

The  application  of  the  modern  historical  method  to  Bible  study,  of  the 
theory  of  evolution  to  scientific  study,  and  of  modern  philosophical  and  socio¬ 
logical  theory  to  the  practical  problems  of  life,  together  with  many  other 
influences,  has  created  a  new  basis  for  theological  thinking  and  for  religious 
attitudes.  Something  more  than  Bible  study  pure  and  simple  is  needed  to  help 
the  layman,  and  especially  the  young  people  of  our  day,  to  the  right  views  of 


6 


THE  UNIVERSITY  OF  CHICAGO 


Christian  life  and  its  responsibilities  and  privileges.  For  this  reason  there  is 
issued  a  monthly  leaflet  in  which  are  published  one  or  two  new  Outline  Bible- 
Study  Courses  each  year  and  also  an  editorial  which  introduces  the  members  of 
the  Institute  to  those  views  and  attitudes  which  characterize  modern  Chris¬ 
tian  thought.  This  publication,  the  Institute ,  gives  each  month  two  or  three 
pages  of  editorial  matter,  a  few  pages  of  notes  and  announcements  concerning 
the  Institute  work,  and  from  six  to  eight  pages  of  a  Bible-study  course.  Fifty 
cents  a  year,  the  subscription  price  of  the  Institute,  constitutes  also  the  fee  for 
membership,  and  secures  registration  and  the  privilege  of  application  (with 
2  cents  postage)  for  question  sheets  to  be  filled  out  and  returned  for  certificate 
credit. 

Although  the  subscription  list  of  the  Institute  is  identical  with  such  a 
portion  of  the  membership  of  the  Institute  as  desire  the  particular  course  being 
published  in  that  form,  the  subscription  entails  upon  no  one  any  obligation  to 
send  in  reports  or  even  to  follow  out  completely  the  course  which  the  Institute 
contains.  Membership  is  to  be  considered  as  a  privilege  accorded  to  those  who 
desire  it,  and  not  a  requirement. 

The  Outline  Bible-Study  Courses  to  be  published  in  the  Institute  beginning 
with  September  are  of  extraordinary  interest  at  this  time. 

The  Book  of  Revelation.  By  Shirley  Jackson  Case. — Thousands  of 
people  are  being  swept  into  a  movement  which  is  based  upon  the  theory  that  the 
end  of  the  world  and  the  return  of  Jesus  are  near,  many  going  so  far  as  to  set 
definite  dates.  The  effect  of  this  movement  is  to  spread  fear  and  religious  excite¬ 
ment,  to  disintegrate  communities,  and  to  dishonor  constructive  religion.  The 
book  most  frequently  quoted  by  believers  in  these  views,  as  a  basis  for  their 
belief,  is  the  Book  of  Revelation.  Every  reader  of  the  Bible  should  make  it  his 
Christian  duty  to  study  this  book  from  the  historical  point  of  view,  and  to  learn 
for  himself  what  a  marvelous  document  it  is — what  comfort  it  brought  to  the 
early  Christians,  and  the  place  which  it  should  take  in  modern  religious  thinking. 
The  author  of  this  course  is  one  of  the  ablest  New  Testament  scholars,  and  his 
conclusions  are  trustworthy.  The  course  will  continue  four  months,  concluding 
with  the  December  number. 

The  Essentials  of  the  Christian  Religion.  By  Gerald  Birney  Smith  and 
Theodore  G.  Soares. — This  is  an  inductive  study  of  vital  religious  beliefs  in  the 
light  of  biblical  and  Christian  experience. 

The  one  disadvantage  of  Bible  study  pure  and  simple  is  that  it  restricts  us  to 
the  questions  which  the  biblical  writers  discussed.  While  most  of  these  questions 
are  perennially  vital,  some  of  them  belong  to  a  by-gone  age.  It  was  necessary 
for  the  early  Christians  to  ask  seriously  whether  the  Jewish  ceremonial  law  was 
essential.  We  do  not  need  to  raise  the  question.  On  the  other  hand  modern 
Christians  are  perplexed  by  some  matters  which  did  not  exist  in  Bible  times. 
For  instance  we  must  define  our  faith  in  such  a  way  as  to  make  positive  use  of  the 
doctrine  of  evolution — a  doctrine  unknown  in  the  early  days  of  Christianity. 

This  course  will  deal  with  our  own  religious  questions.  Great  themes 
which  everyone  today  wishes  to  discuss  will  be  selected,  and  material  from 
biblical  and  other  inspiring  sources  will  be  so  arranged  as  to  aid  in  understanding 
important  beliefs  and  ideals  of  Christianity,  such  as  faith  in  God,  prayer,  regenera¬ 
tion,  immortality,  and  the  like.  The  course  will  help  religious  people  to  clearer 
and  stronger  convictions  in  their  own  fives,  and  will  enable  them  to  state  these 
convictions  to  others.  It  will  help  those  who  are  not  Christians  to  see  more 
clearly  what  Christianity  is.  It  will  be  especially  valuable  for  classes  of  young 
people  who  are  interested  in  discussing  the  religious  fife. 

(For  home  reading  course  see  p.  11.) 


THE  AMERICAN  INSTITUTE  OF  SACRED  LITERATURE 


7 


COURSES  UPON  OTHER  SUBJECTS 

The  Message  of  Jesus  to  Our  Modern  Life.  By  Shailer  Mathews. — This 
course  discusses  the  problem  of  the  application  of  the  teaching  of  Jesus  to  the 
complexities  of  our  modern  civilization.  This  task  is  no  easy  one  and  can  be  done 
intelligently  only  after  such  study  as  will  determine  the  permanent  controlling 
principles  of  Jesus’  life  and  the  method  of  applying  those  principles  constructively 
to  our  own  day.  The  topics  treated  in  the  successive  nine  months  of  the  course  are : 
“The  Fatherliness  of  God,”  “The  Duties  and  Obligations  of  the  Children  of  God,” 
“The  Life  of  the  Spirit,”  “Christian  Individualism,”  “The  Family,”  “The  Economic 
Life,”  “The  Political  and  Social  Life,”  “The  Christian  Community,”  and  “The 
Vicarious  Life.” 

The  Origin  and  Teaching  of  the  New  Testament  Books.  By  Ernest  D. 
Burton  and  Fred  Merrifield. — There  is  no  way  of  getting  at  the  meaning  and 
message  of  a  book  so  effectually  as  by  studying  it  in  the  light  of  the  times  out  of 
which  it  arose  and  the  purpose  of  its  author  or  authors  in  writing  it.  In  this  course 
each  book  is  studied  in  its  historical  relation  and  with  the  fullest  appreciation  of 
the  need  which  the  writer  saw  and  tried  to  meet.  Letters,  narratives,  and  people 
all  assume  fresh  and  vital  characteristics  when  they  are  studied  in  this  way. 
Students  say  of  this  and  the  following  course  that  through  their  study  the  Bible 
becomes  a  new  and  vital  book  to  them. 

The  Origin  and  Religious  Teaching  of  the  Old  Testament  Books.  By 
Georgia  Louise  Chamberlin. — This  course  has  in  mind  the  same  purpose  as 
the  preceding  course.  The  number  of  books  to  be  treated  is  larger,  and  the 
treatment  must,  therefore,  be  less  complete  and  detailed.  The  books  are  arranged 
in  the  order  of  their  development,  and  in  cases  where  a  whole  book  cannot  be  used, 
for  lack  of  time,  such  portions  of  the  book  are  selected  as  reflect  the  spirit  of  the 
whole.  The  development  of  the  idea  of  God  is  emphasized  and  is  an  essential 
illustration  of  the  growth  of  religious  ideas  which  the  entire  history  presents. 
This  course  and  the  preceding  one  should  be  studied  by  all  Sunday-school  teach¬ 
ers  who  have  not  had  a  course  which  gives  this  comprehensive  view  of  the  Bible. 

The  Life  of  Christ.  By  Ernest  D.  Burton. — All  people  like  to  have  once 
at  least  a  systematic,  chronological,  day-by-day  study  of  the  life  of  Christ  from 
all  the  Gospels.  The  author  of  this  course  is  the  author  of  a  Harmony  of  the 
Gospels  and  he  has  worked  out  this  daily  study  on  the  basis  of  that  Harmony. 
It  is  a  good  course  for  young  people  and  adults  who  feel  the  need  of  such  an 
acquaintance  with  the  life  of  Jesus. 

The  Gospel  of  John.  By  Edgar  Johnson  Goodspeed. — Not  for  many  years 
has  an  adequate  popular  study  of  the  Gospel  of  John  been  presented  to  the  Chris¬ 
tian  world.  Yet  this  is  perhaps  the  best  loved  and  most  frequently  read  of  any  of 
the  Gospels.  Recent  scholarship  has  thrown  much  light  upon  the  authorship  of 
the  Gospel  of  John,  and  the  part  which  it  played  in  developing  early  Christian 
thought.  Investigation,  although  modifying  some  current  views,  has  added 
greatly  to  its  value  as  a  Christian  document.  Viewed  in  the  light  of  its  origin  and 
purpose,  this  Gospel  becomes  replete  with  life — not  only  the  life  of  the  Master  and 
his  disciples,  but  the  intellectual  and  spiritual  struggles  of  the  Christians  of  the 
hundred  years  following  the  death  of  Jesus.  This  course  is  designed  to  present 
the  Gospel  in  the  light  of  the  results  of  recent  scholarship,  but  at  the  same  time 
simply ,  and  for  popular  study.  It  covers  a  period  of  five  months. 

The  Message  of  the  Prophets  to  the  Twentieth  Century.  By  Herbert 
L.  Willett. — The  Old  Testament  prophets  seeking  to  interpret  God  to  their 
people  dealt  with  universal  problems — injustice,  greed,  vice,  selfishness,  lack  of 
patriotism,  international  treachery.  Struggling  even  at  the  risk  of  life  itself, 
they  sought  to  establish  justice,  humanity,  idealism,  peace,  and  harmony  among 
individuals  and  nations.  No  message  save  that  of  Jesus  is  more  important  for 
our  own  times.  This  course  shows  the  progress  of  Israel  from  generation  to 
generation  through  the  ethical  and  religious  contribution  of  each  prophet,  noting 
his  antecedents,  his  preparation,  his  religious  interests,  his  moral  concern,  his 
social  teachings,  and  the  bearing  of  his  message  upon  the  twentieth-century 
situations  and  problems. 


8 


THE  UNIVERSITY  OF  CHICAGO 


The  Problem  of  Suffering  in  the  Old  Testament.  By  John  M.  Powis 
Smith. — The  purpose  of  this  course  is  to  give  a  bird’s-eye  view  of  the  history  of 
Hebrew  thought  upon  the  problem  of  suffering.  It  will  be  of  interest  to  observe 
how  that  thought  varied  from  time  to  time;  how  it  passed  from  a  simple,  child¬ 
like  point  of  view  of  suffering  as  a  direct  punishment  for  sin  to  a  profound  and 
thoroughly  spiritual  philosophy  of  life.  The  effort  will  be  made  to  show  how  the 
progress  of  the  thought  was  influenced  by  changing  circumstances  as  generation 
succeeded  generation.  The  course  continues  through  four  months  and  presents 
the  contributions  of  Ezekiel,  Isaiah  40-66,  Job,  and  scattered  fragments. 

The  Work  of  the  Old  Testament  Sages.  By  William  R.  Harper. — The 
average  adult  class  knows  little  of  the  great  problem-books  of  the  Old  Testament, 
and  those  books  which  were  contributed  to  the  life  of  the  Hebrews  by  the  sages 
or  wise  men.  These  books  had  an  influence  in  the  life  of  the  people  equal  to  that 
of  the  priests  and  prophets.  Their  work,  including  the  books  of  Proverbs,  Job, 
Song  of  Songs,  and  Ecclesiastes,  is  treated  in  this  course  in  a  wonderfully  inter¬ 
esting  and  illuminating  way  by  a  masterly  Old  Testament  teacher. 

The  Social  and  Ethical  Teachings  of  Jesus.  By  Shailer  Mathews. — This 
course,  by  the  same  author  as  the  later  course,  The  Message  of  Jesus  to  Our 
Modern  Life,  approaches  much  the  same  subject  by  a  somewhat  different  method. 
No  one  need  take  both  of  these  courses,  but  may  choose  between  them.  The 
study  covers  sueh  broad  themes  as  “The  Character  of  God,”  “The  Kingdom  of 
God,”  “Sin  and  Punishment,”  “Forgiveness  and  Faith,”  all  viewed  from  the 
standpoint  of  Jesus’  teaching  concerning  them. 

The  Work  of  the  Old  Testament  Priests.  By  William  R.  Harper. — The 
rise  of  the  Old  Testament  priesthood  as  a  recognized  class  among  the  Hebrews, 
and  their  gradual  assumption  of  supremacy  and  leadership  is  a  most  interesting 
study  and  throws  much  light  on  portions  of  the  Bible  which  are  today  battlefields 
of  criticism.  The  development  of  Hebrew  ideals  concerning  all  things  relating 
to  worship  is  the  theme  of  this  course  which  furnishes  a  guide  to  individual  Bible 
students  who  wish  to  study  this  material  for  themselves. 

The  Universal  Element  in  the  Psalter.  By  J.  M.  P.  Smith  and  G.  L. 
Chamberlin.  (Five  months.) — There  is  great  need  at  times  for  what  may  be 
called,  for  want  of  a  better  name,  devotional  study  of  the  Bible.  In  this  course 
the  Hebrew  book  of  devotions  is  treated  from  a  broad  and  comprehensive  view 
of  its  contents — great  songs  and  prayers  voicing  communion  with  God,  faith, 
supplication,  joy,  and  thanksgiving,  and  many  other  human  emotions  which 
enter  into  a  devotional  spirit.  A  student  of  this  course  will  gain  new  and  deeper 
channels  for  the  expression  of  religious  feeling  and  the  opportunity  for  daily 
practice  in  the  thought  of  God. 

The  Book  of  Job,  or  the  Problem  of  Human  Suffering.  By  William  R. 

Harper.  (Three  months.) — A  study  of  this  book  is  included  in  the  Work  of  the 
Old  Testament  Sages,  named  above,  but,  because  of  the  demand  for  a  course 
embodying  the  study  of  a  single  great  book,  this  material  has  been  separated  and 
put  out  with  a  new  introduction  as  a  distinct  course.  (Half-course.)  Not  sup¬ 
plied  in  1917-18. 

Four  Letters  of  Paul.  By  Ernest  D.  Burton.  (Two  months.) — Here 
again  the  need  of  a  short  course  which  would  illustrate  the  modern  method  of 
studying  two  or  three  typical  letters  has  led  to  the  selection  of  a  short  course  from 
the  midst  of  a  longer  one.  The  course  covers  the  letters  of  Romans,  Galatians, 
and  Corinthians,  each  of  which  deals  with  specific  problems  in  the  career  of  Paul. 
(Half-course.) 

The  Foreshadowings  of  the  Christ.  By  William  R.  Harper. — This  course, 
by  one  of  the  greatest  Old  Testament  teachers  of  this  generation,  and  the 
founder  of  the  Institute,  selects  the  idea  of  the  deliverance  and  traces  it  through 
the  entire  literature  of  the  Old  Testament  from  the  earliest  to  the  latest  time. 
The  term  “foreshadowings”  is  broad,  however,  and  includes  much  which  has  not 
ordinarily  been  considered  related  to  the  idea  of  the  messianic  expectation. 


THE  AMERICAN  INSTITUTE  OF  SACRED  LITERATURE 


9 


III.  THE  MINISTERS’  READING  GUILD 

Its  Purpose. — The  courses  offered  in  the  Reading  Guild  series  are  designed 
to  give  to  ministers  and  students  of  religion  lists  of  from  ten  to  twenty  volumes, 
each  as  comprehensive  as  may  be  within  such  limits,  upon  subjects  which  are  of 
current  and  vital  interest  professionally.  These  must  include  courses  in  biblical, 
theological,  psychological,  historical,  and  educational  themes.  The  lists  are 
comprehensive  in  spirit  as  well  as  in  the  number  of  volumes.  They  do  not 
represent  a  single  group  of  thinkers,  but  aim  to  give  fair  representation  of  the 
different  views  held  by  scholars.  Most  ministers  will  find  that  one  of  these 
courses  will  provide  a  sufficient  amount  of  professional  reading  along  a  given  line 
to  occupy  a  winter.  The  courses  are  prepared  by  teachers  in  the  leading  theo¬ 
logical  seminaries,  each  man  being  chosen  because  of  his  recognized  fitness  to 
handle  the  particular  subject  under  consideration.  Since  new  books  are  coming 
out  all  the  time,  many  of  them  superseding  older  books  upon  the  subject,  courses 
in  this  series  must  be  frequently  changed.  The  number  of  enrolments  which  can 
be  received  in  any  one  course  is  therefore  limited  to  the  number  of  course  books 
printed  when  the  course  is  announced. 

The  Course  Book. — The  course  book  consists  of  from  thirty  to  fifty  pages 
of  discussion  of  the  required  books,  which  are  usually  grouped  in  four  or  five 
divisions.  At  the  close  of  each  division  books  for  supplementary  reading  are 
named  for  the  benefit  of  those  who  wish  to  pursue  the  subject  further.  A 
series  of  questions  for  consideration  is  also  added  at  the  close  of  each  section. 
These  questions  are  useful  for  the  individual  reader  as  a  basis  upon  which  to 
consider  the  contribution  of  each  book,  but  are  particularly  designed  to  fur¬ 
nish  material  for  discussion  for  groups  of  ministers  who  are  reading  the  course 
together. 

Registration  Fee. — The  fee  for  enrolment  in  one  of  the  courses  of  the  Reading 
Guild  is  50  cents.  The  payment  of  this  amount  will  entitle  the  reader  to  the 
course  book  on  any  subject  from  List  1  next  page.  The  subjects  contained  in 
List  2  are  published  in  1917-18  only  in  the  Biblical  World ,  and  in  order  to  secure 
them  it  is  therefore  necessary  to  subscribe  for  the  Biblical  World.  Such  a  sub¬ 
scription,  however,  entitles  the  holder  to  membership  in  the  Institute,  wherever 
request  for  such  membership  is  made  either  to  the  publisher  of  the  Biblical 
World  or  to  the  Institute.  Books  may  be  secured  by  readers  at  their  regular 
dealers  through  the  publishers  or  in  Traveling  Libraries.  As  a  matter  of 
accommodation  to  those  who  do  not  wish  to  order  as  above,  mail  orders  may 
be  placed  with  the  Institute. 

Traveling  Libraries. — In  connection  with  each  course  traveling  libraries 
are  provided  for  the  convenience  of  those  readers  who  do  not  wish  to  purchase 
books  and  cannot  conveniently  use  public  or  institutional  libraries.  The  full 
set  of  books  in  the  course  chosen  is  sent,  carriage  prepaid,  to  the  reader.  The 
books  may  be  retained  for  four  months;  they  may  then  be  returned  (carriage 
prepaid  by  the  reader),  or  any  or  all  of  the  volumes  may  be  purchased  at  10  per 
cent  less  than  the  publisher’s  prices  for  the  books.  Preferably ,  the  books  may  be 
transferred  to  another  reader  in  the  immediate  vicinity.  The  fee  required  to  secure 
a  library  is  $3.50  in  any  part  of  the  United  States  or  Canada.  (Books  are  not 
sold  from  libraries  sent  to  Canada.)  All  requests  for  libraries  are  filled  in  the 


10 


THE  UNIVERSITY  OF  CHICAGO 


order  of  receipt.  If  no  library  upon  a  subject  desired  is  on  hand  at  the  time 
application  is  made,  the  request  is  registered  and  the  reader  supplied  from  the 
first  library  on  that  subject  which  is  returned. 

COURSES 
List  1 

1.  The  Origin  of  the  Gospels.  By  Professor  Ernest  W.  Parsons. — 
Thirteen  volumes,  representing  the  latest  constructive  scholarship.  Course 
Book  27  pages. 

2.  The  Psychology  of  Religion.  By  Assistant  Professor  Edward  S. 
Ames. — Fourteen  volumes  covering  the  latest  investigations  and  conclusions 
in  this  subject.  Course  Book  35  pages. 

3.  The  Apostolic  Age  in  the  Light  of  Today.  By  Professor  George  H. 
Gilbert. — Eleven  volumes  covering  history,  criticism,  biography,  and  thought. 
Course  Book  31  pages. 

4.  Jesus  in  the  Light  of  Modern  Scholarship.  By  Professor  Shirley  J. 
Case. — Eleven  volumes,  historical,  biographical,  and  theological.  Course  Book 
32  pages. 

6.  The  Efficient  Church.  By  Professor  Shailer  Mathews. — Twenty- 
one  volumes  covering  the  administration  of  a  church,  in  city  and  country,  prob¬ 
lems  of  evangelism,  education,  missions.  Course  Book  29  pages. 

6.  The  Expansion  of  Christianity  in  the  Twentieth  Century.  By  Professors 
E.  D.  Burton  and  A.  K.  Parker. — Twenty  volumes  treating  the  geography, 
history,  and  present  conditions  of  Christian  missions  in  China,  Japan,  Turkey, 
and  Arabia.  Course  Book  48  pages. 

7.  The  Religion  of  the  Hebrews  and  Modern  Scholarship.  By  Professor 
John  M.  P.  Smith. — Twelve  volumes  covering  the  great  themes  of  the  Old  Tes¬ 
tament,  which  are  illuminated  by  historical  study;  the  idea  of  God,  immortality, 
atonement,  and  suffering.  Course  Book  23  pages. 

8.  The  Educational  Task  of  the  Church. — By  Professor  Theodore  G. 
Soares. — Twenty  volumes  dealing  with  the  psychological  principles  of  religious 
education,  educational  theory,  and  practical  experiment.  Course  Book  26 
pages. 

9.  Significant  Tendencies  in  Modern  Theological  Thought.  By  Professor 
Gerald  B.  Smith. — Twelve  volumes,  including  the  most  important  contributions 
to  recent  literature  which  show  how  our  ideas  of  the  Bible  and  theology  have 
been  affected  by  modern  scientific  theory  and  by  changing  social  and  religious 
ideals.  Course  Book  35  pages. 

10.  The  Ethical  Teaching  of  Jesus.  By  Associate  Professor  Clyde  W. 
Votaw. — Twelve  volumes  considering  the  ethics  of  Jesus  in  comparison  with 
older  ideals,  and  the  appreciation  of  these  ideals  in  modern  society.  Course 
Book  35  pages. 

11.  The  Preaching  Task  of  the  Modem  Minister.  By  Professor  Theodore 
G.  Soares. — Twenty  volumes,  the  purpose  of  which  is  to  redefine  the  task  of 
the  preacher  in  relation  to  and  as  affected  by  modern  thought  concerning  society, 
Jesus,  the  Bible,  religion,  science,  and  philosophy.  Course  Book  38  pages. 

List  2 

1.  The  Community  and  the  Church.  By  Professor  Allan  Hoben. — A 
group  of  volumes  on  the  principles  and  technique  of  the  church’s  program  of 
social  service  and  plans  for  co-operation  and  application  of  methods  to  various 
types  of  communities — urban  and  rural. 


THE  AMERICAN  INSTITUTE  OF  SACRED  LITERATURE  11 


IV.  HOME-READING  COURSES  IN  RELIGION 

There  is  no  field  in  which  the  ordinary  layman  is  more  at  a  loss  to  know  what 
to  read  than  that  of  religion.  Each  year  there  are  one  or  two  religious  books 
which  gain  a  very  wide  reading  and  come  to  the  notice  of  people  everywhere, 
but  with  this  exception  there  is  little  or  no  religious  reading  in  the  home.  Many 
earnest  people  in  the  churches  as  well  as  outside  of  them  are  interested  in  religious 
matters  and  would  like  to  have  the  opportunity  to  read  with  some  helpful  sug¬ 
gestions  a  few  interesting  and  important  religious  books  each  year.  It  is  for  such 
as  these  that  the  Home-Reading  Courses  are  planned. 

The  course  for  this  year  commences  September  first  and  will  consist  of  three 
volumes,  as  follows:  Fundamental  Questions ,  by  President  Henry  Churchill  King; 
The  Story  of  the  New  Testament,  by  Edgar  Johnson  Goodspeed;  Religious  Educa¬ 
tion  in  the  Family,  by  Henry  F.  Cope. 

Through  the  first  of  these  books  the  members  of  the  family  will  consider  the 
relation  of  Christianity  to  many  phases  of  our  modern  life.  The  chapters  are 
short,  questions  are  many,  and  the  discussion  of  them  most  inspiring.  The  second 
volume  will  carry  the  reader  swiftly  through  the  experience  of  the  early  Christians 
out  of  whose  life  and  work  was  developed  our  New  Testament.  The  third  will 
reveal  the  family  to  itself  and  will  show  to  parents  the  opportunities  which  they 
possess  for  the  development  of  useful  Christian  citizens  within  the  home. 

The  discussions  of  these  books,  the  directions  for  reading,  and  the  questions 
to  be  answered  will  be  published  in  the  Institute  beginning  with  September. 
The  fee  for  membership  is  50  cents.  Postpaid  prices  of  books  to  members  only 
are  indicated  below.1 


V.  SURVEY  COURSES  FOR  SUNDAY-SCHOOL  TEACHERS 

These  courses  are  designed  for  those  Sunday-school  teachers  who  would  like 
to  get  a  rapid  and  comprehensive  survey  of  the  Old  and  the  New  Testaments 
and  of  religious  pedagogy  in  elementary  form.  The  basis  of  Courses  2  and  3, 
respectively,  is  the  Outline  Bible-Study  Course  bearing  the  same  name.  The 
correspondence  fee  permits  the  student  to  report  upon  his  work  and  to  receive 
criticisms  and  suggestions  for  outside  reading.  In  connection  with  each  course 
twenty  recitation  papers  are  provided  which  give  an  opportunity  for  the  pres¬ 
entation  of  the  results  of  study  and  thought  on  the  part  of  the  student.  Papers 
are  criticized  and  returned  to  the  student.  The  work  is  individual,  but  groups 
may  follow  the  course  through  the  enrolment  of  the  leader,  who  may  present, 
instead  of  his  individual  work,  a  composite  recitation  worked  out  in  the  class. 

Tuition  Fee  and  Enrolment. — Students  may  be  enrolled  at  any  time  and 
may  have  the  privilege  of  correspondence  until  the  course  is  completed,  provided 
it  be  finished  within  one  year  from  date  of  enrolment.  The  fee  for  each  course 
is  $5.00.  This  fee  may  be  paid  by  the  individual  student;  but  churches  and 
Sunday  schools  are  urged  to  consider  the  advisability  of  paying  this  fee  for  their 


1  Fundamental  Questions,  by  Henry  Churchill  King,  $1.50;  Religious  Education  in  the 
Family,  by  Henry  P.  Cope,  $1.25 ;  The  Story  of  the  New  Testament,  by  Edgar  J.  Goodspeed, 
$1.00. 


12 


THE  UNIVERSITY  OF  CHICAGO 


teachers  and  so  stimulating  them  to  take  up  these  courses.  The  return  to  the 
school  in  improved  teaching  more  than  compensates  for  the  money  expended  by 
the  school. 

Certificates. — The  certificates  awarded  in  this  department  are  recognized 
by  all  teacher-training  organizations  as  a  sufficient  substitute  for  their  own 
courses  in  the  subject  covered.  In  the  case  of  a  group  a  series  of  special  questions 
will  be  given  as  a  final  examination,  which  must  be  answered  by  the  individuals  of 
the  group  without  assistance  from  the  leader. 

COURSES 

1.  An  Introduction  to  the  Bible  for  Teachers  of  Children. — This  course  is 
intended  for  teachers  of  children  of  the  ages  corresponding  to  grades  four  to 
seven  in  the  public  schools.  The  teacher  is  given  a  rapid  survey  of  the  books 
of  the  Bible  with  special  reference  to  its  introduction  to  children.  The  textbook 
used  is  Chamberlin’s  An  Introduction  to  the  Bible  for  Teachers  of  Children  ($1.00), 
a  book  which  contains  a  series  of  lessons  for  children  which  can  be  used  by  the 
teacher  as  he  proceeds. 

2.  The  Origin  and  Religious  Teaching ‘of  the  Old  Testament  Books. — An 
introduction  to  the  books  of  the  Old  Testament  in  relation  to  their  development 
throughout  the  history  of  the  Hebrew  people.  Copious  readings  from  the  books 
of  the  Bible  are  required,  and  a  minimum  of  outside  reading.  The  textbook 
used  is  Chamberlin’s  The  Origin  and  Religious  Teaching  of  the  Old  Testament 
Books ,  one  of  the  series  of  Outline  Bible-Study  Courses  described  on  page  7. 

3.  The  Origin  and  Teaching  of  the  New  Testament  Books. — This  course 
is  similar  in  character  to  Course  2.  The  textbook  required  is  Burton  and  Merri- 
field’s  The  Origin  and  Teaching  of  the  New  Testament  Books.  (See  list  of  Out¬ 
line  Bible-Study  Courses  on  p.  7.) 

4.  The  Adaptation  of  Principles  of  Psychology  and  Pedagogy  to  Sunday- 
School  Teaching. — A  simple  course  for  the  teacher  who  prefers  the  careful  study 
of  one  book  to  the  reading  of  several.  The  textbook  required  is  Weigle’s  The 
Pupil  and  the  Teacher. 


VI.  ADVANCED  CORRESPONDENCE  COURSES 

The  Advanced  Correspondence  Courses  of  the  Institute  are  conducted 
through  the  Correspondence-Study  Department  of  the  University,  and  are  sub¬ 
ject  to  the  same  regulations.  Experience  has  shown  that  many  subjects  can  be 
taught  successfully  by  correspondence.  Direction  and  correction  can  often  be 
given  as  effectively  by  writing  as  by  word  of  mouth.  Correspondence  courses  in 
Hebrew,  New  Testament  Greek,  and  English  Bible  were  offered  as  early  as  1887, 
and  hundreds  of  ministers  preaching  today  received  their  first  and  in  many  cases 
their  only  instruction  in  the  languages  of  the  Bible  through  the  Hebrew  Corre¬ 
spondence  School,  which  was  the  immediate  ancestor  of  the  Institute. 

Each  correspondence  course  is  designed  to  be  equivalent  to  the  correspond¬ 
ing  course  given  in  residence  at  the  University,  and  contains,  therefore,  a  definite 
amount  of  work.  A  Major  course  in  residence  at  the  University  represents 
twelve  weeks  of  work,  five  hours  per  week.  By  correspondence  it  represents 
forty  written  recitations,  which  may  be  continued  through  twelve  months.  A 
Minor  course  calls  for  one-half  as  much  work  as  a  Major  in  residence  and  for 
twenty  written  recitations  by  correspondence. 


THE  AMERICAN  INSTITUTE  OF  SACRED  LITERATURE  13 


Fees. — All  students  taking  correspondence  courses  are  required  to  pay  the 
matriculation  fee  of  $5.00.  This  is  paid  but  once  and  is  not  required  from  a 
student  who  has  already  matriculated  at  the  University.  The  tuition  fee  for 
each  Minor  course  is  $8.00  and  for  each  Major  course  $16.00.  A  student 
registering  at  the  same  time  for  two  Major  courses  is  required  to  pay  a  fee  of 
$30.00,  for  three  Major  courses  $40.00.  The  tuition  fee  includes  payment  for 
all  instruction  sheets,  but  not  for  textbooks. 

Method  of  Registration. — All  who  desire  to  register  in  the  Correspondence- 
Study  Department  are  required  to  fill  out  a  special  application  blank  which  will 
be  furnished  upon  request,  together  with  all  information  v/hich  is  necessary  to 
enable  them  to  complete  their  registration. 

University  Credit. — Correspondence  courses  are  applicable  to  the  require¬ 
ments  toward  a  Bachelor’s  degree  or  a  degree  from  the  Divinity  School  under 
certain  restrictions,  information  concerning  which  may  be  secured  by  addressing 
the  Institute  or  the  Correspondence-Study  Department  of  the  University. 

THE  FACULTY 

Ernest  DeWitt  Burton,  D.D.,  Professor  and  Head  of  the  Department  of  New 
Testament  and  Early  Christian  Literature;  Director  of  the  University 
Libraries. 

Shirley  Jackson  Case,  Ph.D.,  D.D.,  Professor  of  New  Testament  Interpre¬ 
tation. 

Edgar  Johnson  Goodspeed,  Ph.D.,  Professor  of  Biblical  and  Patristic  Greek; 

Assistant  Director  of  Haskell  Oriental  Museum. 

Ira  Maurice  Price,  Ph.D.,  LL.D.,  Professor  of  the  Semitic  Languages  and 
Literatures. 

Gerald  Birney  Smith,  A.M.,  D.B.,  Professor  of  Christian  Theology. 

Theodore  Gerald  Soares,  Ph.D.,  D.D.,  Professor  of  Homiletics  and  Religious 
Education;  Head  of  the  Department  of  Practical  Theology. 

Clyde  Weber  Votaw,  Ph.D.,  Professor  of  New  Testament  Literature. 

John  Wildman  Moncrief,  A.M.,  D.D.,  Associate  Professor  of  Church  History. 
Walter  Eugene  Clark,  Ph.D.,  Assistant  Professor  of  Sanskrit  and  Indo- 
European  Comparative  Philology. 

Errett  Gates,  Ph.D.,  Assistant  Professor  of  Church  History. 

Laetitia  Moon  Conard,  Ph.D.,  Extension  Assistant  Professor  of  Comparative 
Religion. 

Hermon  Harrison  Severn,  A.B.,  Extension  Assistant  Professor  of  New  Testa¬ 
ment  Literature. 

Edward  Atwood  Henry,  D.B.,  Extension  Assistant  in  the  Old  Testament 
Language  and  Literature. 

Ivan  Seymour  Nowlan,  B.Th.,  A.M.,  Extension  Assistant  in  Practical  Theology. 

COURSES 

COMPARATIVE  RELIGION 

1.  Introduction  to  the  History  of  Religion. — This  course  is  elementary  in 
character  and  aims  to  conduct  the  student  into  the  study  of  the  general  principles 
of  religion  and  to  outline  the  history  of  the  various  religions  of  the  world.  Mj. 
Assistant  Professor  Conard. 


14 


THE  UNIVERSITY  OF  CHICAGO 


2.  The  Religion  of  Uncivilized  Peoples. — This  course  surveys  primitive 
religious  customs  and  beliefs,  noting  their  survivals  in  higher  religions.  The 
first  part  of  the  course  consists  of  a  general  study  of  the  religions  of  uncivilized 
peoples.  In  the  second  part  a  special  study  is  made  of  the  religion  of  the  North 
American  Indians  or  of  some  other  uncivilized  people  concerning  whom  material 
is  available  to  the  student.  Mj.  Assistant  Professor  Conard. 

3.  The  History  of  Prayer. — A  study  of  the  evolution  of  prayer  in  ethical 
and  theological  lines  of  development.  The  survey  begins  with  the  crudest 
forms  of  prayer  and  closes  with  a  discussion  of  prayer  habits  and  ideals  in  present- 
day  Christianity.  Prerequisite:  course  1  or  2  or  an  equivalent.  Mj.  Assistant 
Professor  Conard. 

4.  The  Religions  of  India. — The  aim  of  this  course  is  to  give  a  brief  outline 
of  the  mythology  and  religion  of  the  Vedas  and  an  account  of  the  three  great 
Hindu  religions — -Brahmanism,  Buddhism,  and  Hinduism.  A  knowledge  of 
these  is  absolutely  essential  to  the  student  of  comparative  religion.  Mj.  Assist¬ 
ant  Professor  Clark. 

OLD  TESTAMENT  LITERATURE  AND  INTERPRETATION 

AND 

ORIENTAL  LANGUAGES  AND  LITERATURES 

1.  An  Introduction  to  the  Old  Testament. — This  course  aims  to  give  one  a 
usable  knowledge  of  the  books  of  the  Old  Testament.  It  describes  briefly: 
(1)  how  the  ancient  records  have  come  down  to  us;  (2)  how  those  documents 
were  compiled  and  edited;  (3)  the  historical  background  of  the  Old  Testament 
books;  (4)  the  literary  character  of  each  book;  (5)  its  main  teachings;  and 
(6)  workable  methods  of  solving  its  problems.  The  work  is  planned  on  a  prac¬ 
tical  basis,  and  aims  to  give  students  a  bird’s-eye  view  of  the  new  and  real  advances 
that  have  been  made  in  the  last  few  decades  in  the  understanding  of  the  Old 
Testament.  Mj.  Professor  Price. 

2.  Outline  of  Hebrew  History. — A  survey  study  of  the  history  of  the  Hebrew 
people  as  presented  in  the  Old  Testament  from  the  period  of  the  conquest  and 
establishment  in  Canaan  to  the  Maccabean  struggle  and  the  close  of  Old  Testa¬ 
ment  history.  The  course  embraces  a  preliminary  sketch  of  the  patriarchal 
period,  with  a  more  detailed  study  of  the  conquest,  the  period  of  the  Judges,  the 
united  and  divided  kingdoms,  the  exile,  the  revival  of  Judah,  and  the  beginnings 
of  Judaism.  The  bearings  of  prophetic  activity  upon  the  history  and  literature 
also  receive  consideration.  Mj.  Mr.  Henry. 

3.  Historical  Development  of  Old  Testament  Literature. — This  course 
begins  with  a  very  brief  survey  of  the  origins  of  the  Hebrew  people  and  their 
literary  heritage  from  the  past,  then  takes  up  the  existing  Old  Testament  literature 
in  the  order  of  its  production  and  studies  each  portion  as  to  (1)  the  historical  cir¬ 
cumstances  of  its  origin,  (2)  its  authorship,  (3)  its  literary  form,  and  (4)  its  pur¬ 
pose.  The  course  aims  to  make  the  student  conversant  with  the  constructive 
results  of  the  most  recent  historical  research.  Although  this  course  has  no 
technical  prerequisites,  a  knowledge  of  Hebrew  history  as  outlined  in  course  2 
would  be  helpful.  Mj.  Mr.  Henry. 

4.  Old  Testament  Prophecy. — The  purpose  of  this  course  is  to  aid  in  securing 
a  better  understanding  of  the  rise  and  development  of  prophecy  in  Israel.  Some 
of  the  more  important  matters  to  be  considered  are:  (1)  the  controlling  ideas  in 
the  teaching  of  each  of  the  great  prophets;  (2)  the  relation  of  the  prophet  and  his 
work  to  the  political  and  social  movements  of  his  day;  (3)  the  attitude  of  the 
prophet  toward  the  priest  and  priestly  institutions;  (4)  the  place  of  prophecy 
in  the  preparation  for  the  work  of  Christ.  Mj.  Mr.  Henry. 

6.  Old  Testament  Worship. — A  study  of  the  element  of  worship  and  the 
institutions  and  literature  connected  with  worship  in  the  Old  Testament.  Special 
consideration  will  be  given  to  such  topics  as:  (1)  the  priest;  (2)  place  of  wor¬ 
ship;  (3)  sacrifice;  (4)  feasts;  (5)  tithes;  (6)  clean  and  unclean,  etc.;  (7)  the 


THE  AMERICAN  INSTITUTE  OF  SACRED  LITERATURE  15 


origin  and  character  of  the  Sabbath;  (8)  the  date  and  character  of  Deuteronomy; 
(9)  the  origin  of  the  Levitical  legislation;  (10)  the  composition  of  the  Hexateuch. 
Attention  will  be  given  to  the  characteristic  ideas  of  the  priest  as  distinguished 
from  those  of  the  prophet  and  to  the  growth  of  priestly  influence  in  Israel’s 
religious  life.  Mj.  Mr.  Henry. 

6.  Elementary  Hebrew. — Includes  the  mastery  of  the  Hebrew  of  Genesis, 
chaps.  1-3;  the  study  of  the  most  important  principles  of  the  language  in  connec¬ 
tion  with  these  chapters;  Hebrew  grammar,  including  the  strong  verb  and  seven 
classes  of  weak  verbs;  and  the  acquisition  of  a  vocabulary  of  four  hundred  words. 
Mj.  Mr.  Henry.  Prepared  by  William  R.  Harper. 

7.  Intermediate  Hebrew. — Includes  the  critical  study  of  Genesis,  chaps.  4-8, 
with  a  review  of  Genesis,  chaps.  1-3;  the  more  rapid  reading  of  fourteen  chapters 
in  I  Samuel,  Ruth,  and  Jonah;  the  completion  of  the  outlines  of  Hebrew  grammar 
and  an  increase  of  vocabulary  to  eight  hundred  words.  Mj.  Mr.  Henry.  Pre¬ 
pared  by  William  R.  Harper. 

8.  Exodus  and  Hebrew  Grammar. — Includes  the  critical  study  and  trans¬ 
lation  of  Exodus,  chaps.  1-24;  a  more  detailed  study  of  Hebrew  grammar;  an 
inductive  study  of  Hebrew  syntax;  and  the  memorizing  of  three  hundred  addi¬ 
tional  words  and  of  several  familiar  psalms  in  Hebrew.  Mj .  Mr.  Henry.  Pre¬ 
pared  by  William  R.  Harper. 

9.  Haggai,  Zechariah,  and  Malachi. — A  course  of  twenty  recitations,  includ¬ 
ing  the  critical  and  exegetical  study  of  these  books;  the  lexicographical  study 
of  two  hundred  important  words;  the  principles  of  Hebrew  prophecy;  a  study 
of  Hebrew  syntax,  especially  the  subjects  of  the  tense  and  sentence;  the 
Hebrew  accentuation;  and  the  memorizing  of  about  eight  hundred  words. 
M.  Mr.  Henry.  Prepared  by  William  R.  Harper. 

NEW  TESTAMENT  AND  EARLY  CHRISTIAN  LITERATURE 

1.  Jewish  History  in  the  Time  of  Jesus. — The  Jewish  people  in  the  Roman 
Empire;  geography,  population,  and  languages  of  Palestine;  influence  of  Hellen¬ 
ism;  political  events  and  parties;  industrial,  social,  and  intellectual  life;  reli¬ 
gious  groups  and  institutions;  moral  and  religious  ideas — an  introduction  to  the 
study  of  the  life  and  teaching  of  Jesus.  This  course  corresponds  in  general 
to  course  1  in  residence,  which  is  required  of  candidates  for  the  D.B.  degree. 
Mj.  Professor  Votaw. 

2.  Life  of  Jesus. — A  comprehensive  and  systematic  historical  study  of 
Jesus’  purpose,  method,  message,  deeds,  and  personality  in  general  aspects.  The 
forty  lessons  include  such  topics  as:  the  characteristics  of  the  gospels  as  his¬ 
torical  sources,  Jewish  messianism,  Jesus’  aim  and  method  in  his  ministry,  the 
parables,  the  miracles,  the  Christology  of  the  gospels,  and  the  historical  signifi¬ 
cance  of  Jesus.  The  course  constitutes  an  introduction  to  the  study  of  the 
teaching  of  Jesus.  A  knowledge  of  New  Testament  Greek  is  not  required,  but 
is  valuable.  To  accommodate  two  well-defined  types  of  students  the  course 
is  presented  in  two  grades:  in  its  simple  form  it  corresponds  in  general  to  the 
college  course  New  Testament  106;  in  its  advanced  form  to  the  graduate  course 
New  Testament  5.  Mj.  Professor  Votaw. 

3.  The  Teaching  of  Jesus. — The  four  gospels  will  be  investigated  as  to  their 
origin,  characteristics,  trustworthiness,  and  the  manner  of  their  use  for  ascer¬ 
taining  the  teaching  of  Jesus.  The  chief  ideas  and  characteristics  of  Judaism 
in  Jesus’  day  will  be  studied  as  the  historical  background  to  his  teaching;  also 
the  development  of  Jesus’  own  religious  experience  and  ideas,  and  the  aim,  limits, 
style,  and  method  of  his  teaching.  Then  will  follow  topically  a  comprehensive, 
careful  study  of  the  content  of  Jesus’  teaching.  Mj.  Professor  Votaw. 

4.  History  of  the  Apostolic  Age. — This  course,  corresponding  to  course  8  in 
residence,  covers  the  history  of  Christianity  from  Jesus’  death  to  the  end  of  the 
first  century.  Among  the  more  important  topics  studied  are:  (1)  the  experiences 


16 


THE  UNIVERSITY  OF  CHICAGO 


of  the  primitive  Christians  at  Jerusalem;  (2)  the  beginnings  of  missions;  (3) 
the  relations  between  Judaism  and  Christianity;  (4)  the  missionary  work  of 
Paul;  (5)  Christianity’s  contact  with  the  religions  of  the  Greco-Roman  world; 
(6)  the  growth  of  church  ritual  and  organization;  (7)  the  origin  and  content  of 
early  Christian  doctrines;  (8)  the  rise  of  Christian  literature.  Mj.  Professor 
Case. 

6.  Introduction  to  the  Books  of  the  New  Testament. — 

A.  Life  of  the  Apostle  Paul  and  Introduction  to  the  Pauline  Epistles. — The 
work  in  this  course  is  done  on  the  basis  of  a  handbook  containing  suggestions 
for  detailed  studies  and  outlines  of  the  various  New  Testament  books.  The 
aim  in  this  first  part  is  to  prepare  the  student  for  the  interpretation  of  the  letters 
of  Paul  and  for  an  understanding  of  his  personality  and  theology.  Mj. 

B.  Introduction  to  the  Gospels,  Acts,  and  General  Epistles. — Includes  the 
study  of  the  occasion  and  purpose  of  each  book  and  its  general  content  and 
structure.  Mj.  Professor  Burton  and  Assistant  Professor  Severn. 

6.  The  Ethical  Teaching  of  the  New  Testament. — The  moral  ideal  of  Jesus 
is  to  be  studied  on  the  basis  of  the  Sermon  on  the  Mount,  supplemented  by 
material  from  other  portions  of  the  gospels.  The  specific  principles  set  forth 
by  Jesus,  and  the  application  which  he  made  of  them  to  his  own  life  and  to  the 
conduct  of  others,  will  be  interpreted.  Similarly,  the  moral  ideal  of  Paul,  with 
its  principles  and  applications,  will  be  considered.  Finally,  there  is  a  com¬ 
parison  and  summary  of  the  whole  ethical  teaching  of  the  New  Testament.  Mj. 
Professor  Votaw. 

7.  Elementary  New  Testament  Greek. — A  course  for  beginners,  presup¬ 
posing  no  knowledge  of  Greek.  It  aims  to  secure,  by  an  inductive  study,  the 
absolute  mastery  of  chaps.  1-4  of  the  Gospel  of  John,  and  the  essential  facts  and 
principles  of  the  language.  Emphasis  is  placed  upon  the  writing  of  exercises  in 
Greek.  Mj.  Assistant  Professor  Severn. 

8.  Intermediate  New  Testament  Greek. — This  course  is  designed  for 
those  who  have  completed  course  7,  and  for  those  who  wish  to  review  their  Greek 
in  connection  with  the  New  Testament.  It  comprises  the  thorough  study  of  the 
entire  Gospel  of  John,  and  the  reading  at  sight  of  the  First  Epistle  of  John;  also 
the  acquisition  of  vocabulary  and  the  most  general  principles  of  grammar.  One 
who  has  diligently  worked  through  this  course  should  be  able,  with  the  aid  of  the 
lexicon,  to  read  the  New  Testament  with  comparative  ease.  Mj.  Assistant 
Professor  Severn. 

9.  The  Greek  of  the  New  Testament. — Using  the  Gospel  of  Mark,  a 
thorough  study  is  made  of  the  syntax  of  New  Testament  Greek.  The  course 
corresponds  to  course  41  in  residence  and  is  recommended  for  the  D.B.  degree. 
Prerequisite:  courses  7  and  8  or  equivalent  instruction  in  classical  Greek.  Mj. 
Professor  Votaw. 

10.  The  Apostolic  Fathers. — The  course  includes  a  study  of  (1)  the  early 
Christian  literature  ca.  95-150  a.d.;  (2)  problems  of  date,  authorship,  and  pur¬ 
pose;  (3)  reading  of  the  Greek;  and  (4)  studies  in  theology  and  polity.  Out¬ 
lines  of  the  literature  will  be  provided,  and  reports  covering  the  topics  given 
above  will  be  required.  The  later  development  of  New  Testament  ideas  and 
practices,  as  reflected  in  this  early  Christian  literature,  will  be  especially  empha¬ 
sized.  Mj.  Professor  Goodspeed  and  Assistant  Professor  Severn. 

SYSTEMATIC  THEOLOGY 

1.  Outline  Course  in  Systematic  Theology. — The  course  is  intended  to  give  a 
general  acquaintance  with  the  field  of  systematic  theology,  with  especial  reference 
to  the  problems  which  are  today  attracting  chief  attention.  The  first  half  of  the 
course  is  devoted  to  a  general  introduction  to  the  subject;  the  second  half  to  the 
content  of  systematic  theology.  The  textbooks  prescribed  are  to  be  carefully 
analyzed  and  criticized  on  the  basis  of  questions  and  topics  furnished  by  the 


THE  AMERICAN  INSTITUTE  OF  SACRED  LITERATURE  17 


instructor.  This  study  is  of  real  value  as  a  general  survey,  but  does  not  command 
credit  for  the  D.B.  degree.  Mj.  Professor  Smith. 

2.  Systematic  Theology. — 

A.  This  course  discusses  the  task  and  method  of  systematic  theology  in  the 
light  of  modern  conditions  and  sets  forth  the  Christian  doctrine  of  God.  It  is 
accepted  as  the  equivalent  of  the  first  prescribed  course  (Systematic  Theology  I) 
for  the  D.B.  degree.  Mj. 

B.  This  course  covers  the  doctrines  of  sin  and  salvation  and  the  person  and 
work  of  Christ.  It  is  accepted  as  the  equivalent  of  the  second  prescribed  course 
(Systematic  Theology  II)  for  the  D.B.  degree.  Mj. 

C.  This  course  deals  with  the  religious  and  ethical  implications  of  the  Chris¬ 
tian  experience,  including  a  study  of  the  Christian  life  in  both  religious  and  moral 
experiences.  It  is  accepted  as  the  equivalent  of  the  third  prescribed  course 
(Systematic  Theology  III)  for  the  D.B.  degree.  Mj.  Professor  Smith. 

3.  Christian  Ethics. — This  course  sets  forth  the  moral  aspects  of  the  Chris¬ 
tian  religious  experience.  The  Christian  moral  ideal  is  compared  with  the 
various  ethical  ideals  expounded  by  moral  philosophers.  The  ethical  ideal  of 
Jesus  is  carefully  studied  with  suggestions  as  to  the  method  of  determining  duty 
in  the  various  fields  of  human  activity.  An  analysis  of  the  important  social 
problems  of  today  serves  to  call  attention  to  the  field  of  constructive  Christian 
activity.  Mj.  Professor  Smith. 

4.  Apologetics. — This  course  is  intended  to  acquaint  the  student  with  the 
general  outlines  of  a  defense  of  Christianity.  In  the  first  place  the  content  of 
Christianity  which  must  be  defended  is  sought  on  the  basis  of  a  historical  study 
of  the  sources  and  history  of  Christianity.  The  ultimate  elements  of  Christian 
faith  are  then  defined  and  justified  in  the  light  of  modern  thought.  Questions 
and  topics  suggested  by  the  required  textbooks  are  to  be  discussed  in  written 
papers  by  the  student.  Prerequisite:  course  2  or  an  equivalent.  Mj.  Pro¬ 
fessor  Smith. 

5.  The  Theological  Significance  of  Leading  Movements  of  Thought  in  the 
Nineteenth  Century. — Modern  idealistic  philosophy,  the  theological  principles 
of  Schleiermacher  and  of  Ritschl,  the  development  of  biblical  criticism,  the 
growing  influence  of  natural  science,  the  rise  of  the  philosophy  of  evolution,  and 
the  significance  of  the  Pragmatist  movement  are  the  chief  topics  for  study.  The 
problems  raised  for  theology  by  these  movements  will  be  carefully  considered. 
Those  taking  the  course  should  have  access  to  an  adequate  library  or  should  be 
willing  to  incur  considerable  expense  for  books.  Prerequisite:  course  4  or  its 
equivalent  and  a  general  acquaintance  with  the  history  of  modern  philosophy. 
(Informal.)  DM j.  Professor  Smith. 

Note. — Related  courses  are  offered  in  Philosophy,  Psychology,  Sociology,  and 
Comparative  Religion. 

CHURCH  HISTORY 

1.  Outlines  of  Church  History. — A  survey  of  church  history  from  the  found¬ 
ing  of  the  church  in  Jerusalem  to  the  present  time,  with  special  emphasis  upon 
the  Ancient  (100-800  a.d.)  and  Reformation  (1517-1648  a.d.)  periods.  Some 
of  the  most  important  subjects  that  will  come  under  investigation  are:  (1)  the 
conflict  of  the  church  with  heathenism  in  the  Roman  Empire;  (2)  the  rise  and 
growth  of  the  papacy;  (3)  heresies,  controversies,  and  parties  within  the  church; 
(4)  the  missionary  expansion  of  the  western  church;  (5)  the  struggle  between 
the  papacy  and  the  empire  for  supremacy;  (6)  the  rise  and  progress  of  the 
Reformation  in  Germany,  France,  Switzerland,  England,  and  Scotland,  and  (7) 
the  recent  development  of  the  Protestant  churches  in  Europe  and  America. 
Mj.  Assistant  Professor  Gates. 

2.  The  Protestant  Reformation. — Extent  and  state  of  Christendom  at  the 
opening  of  the  sixteenth  century;  new  forces  that  sweep  away  the  old  order  of 
things;  Zwingli,  Luther,  Calvin,  as  expressions  of  the  spirit  of  the  new  era;  esti¬ 
mate  of  the  movement  in  its  relations  to  the  general  historic  process.  Mj.  Asso¬ 
ciate  Professor  Moncrief. 


18 


THE  UNIVERSITY  OF  CHICAGO 


PRACTICAL  THEOLOGY 

1.  The  Theory  of  Preaching. — This  course  corresponds  to  residence  course  1 
and  embraces  a  study  of  the  character  and  purpose  of  the  sermon,  the  methods  of 
preparation,  and  the  manner  of  delivery.  The  laws  of  effective  popular  discourse 
are  studied  inductively  in  connection  with  the  preparation  of  sermons  by  the 
student.  Prerequisite:  college  instruction  in  composition  and  rhetoric  equiva¬ 
lent  to  that  provided  in  “English  III.”  Mj.  Professor  Soares. 

2.  Principles  and  Organization  of  Religious  Education. — The  course  pro¬ 
vides  a  general  introduction  to  the  field  of  religious  education.  At  the  outset  the 
religious  life  and  its  place  in  human  development  are  defined,  and  the  aim  of  reli¬ 
gious  education  is  made  clear.  This  leads  the  student  to  investigate  the  neigh¬ 
boring  fields  of  psychology  and  education  to  discover  their  contributions  to  the 
subject.  The  moral  and  religious  development  of  the  growing  child  is  considered 
genetically,  and  examination  is  made  of  available  material  to  determine  its  value 
in  the  various  stages  of  child  life.  Institutions  or  agencies  through  which  this 
tested  material  may  be  mediated  are  pointed  out  and  the  special  opportunities 
of  the  home,  the  public  school,  the  library,  and  the  church  are  indicated.  Other 
community  factors  are  discussed  and  a  basis  of  co-ordinating  all  agencies  is 
formulated.  Some  attention  is  given  to  the  organization  of  the  modern  Sunday 
school.  Mj.  Mr.  Nowlan. 

3.  The  Modern  Sunday  School. — This  course  discusses  in  detail  some  of 
the  concrete  problems  of  the  modern  graded  Sunday  school:  (1)  underlying 
ideals;  (2)  graded  curricula;  (3)  relative  value  of  the  more  important  series  of 
textbooks;  (4)  departmental  organization  and  methods  of  grading  pupils;  (5)  the 
important  element  of  worship;  (6)  methods  of  handwork;  (7)  the  library;  (8) 
the  secretary’s  department;  (9)  the  social  life  of  the  school  and  its  relation  to 
the  young  people’s  societies  and  other  clubs  and  organizations;  (10)  the  religious 
life  of  the  school  and  educational  evangelism;  (11)  programs  of  teacher  train¬ 
ing  both  within  the  local  church  and  in  city  institutes.  A  graded  program  of 
altruistic  activity  is  offered  and  its  relation  to  the  worship  and  instruction  phases 
is  indicated.  The  course  aims  to  present  a  workable  program  for  the  modern 
Sunday  school  based  upon  the  assured  results  of  advanced  thinkers  and  workers 
in  this  field.  Instruction  is  by  means  of  textbooks,  topics  for  special  study, 
reports  on  local  observation,  and  lesson  outlines  which  guide  the  student  in  his 
study  of  these  problems.  The  course  will  be  of  special  value  to  superintendents, 
lay  workers,  and  pastors  who  wish  to  learn  more  of  the  best  Sunday-school 
methodology.  Anyone  who  has  had  high-school  training  can  pursue  the  course 
with  profit.  Prerequisite:  if  University  credit  is  desired,  “Elementary  Psy¬ 
chology”  or  an  equivalent  course.  Mj.  Mr.  Nowlan. 

Note. — Related  courses  are  offered  in  Assyrian,  Arabic,  Egyptian;  in  Philosophy, 
Psychology,  Education,  and  Sociology,  information  concerning  which  may  be  secured  by 
addressing  The  University  of  Chicago,  Correspondence-Study  Department. 


THE  AMERICAN  INSTITUTE  OF  SACRED  LITERATURE  19 


THE  INSTITUTE  COURSES  ARE  USEFUL 

1.  To  ministers  who  desire  to  promote  the  study  of  the  Bible  by  members 
of  their  congregations,  either  as  individual  students  or  in  groups  under  leader¬ 
ship. 

2.  To  Christian  Associations  in  which  elementary,  but  systematic,  Bible- 
study  courses  are  desired. 

3.  To  Sunday  schools  for  use  in  classes  of  adults  and  young  people  who 
desire  to  study  something  more  systematic  and  interesting  than  the  ordinary 
lesson  courses  provided. 

4.  To  secular  schools  in  which  Bible-study  courses  are  offered  for  Sunday 
or  week-day  work,  in  preparatory  schools  for  senior  work,  and  in  colleges  for 
classes  meeting  only  once  a  week. 

5.  To  women’s  club  groups  in  which  it  is  desired  to  study  the  Bible  from 
the  literary  or  historical  point  of  view.  The  pamphlet  of  suggestions  to  leaders 
of  classes  provides  enough  topics  for  a  full  year  of  work  in  such  clubs. 

6.  To  groups  of  parents  who  desire  to  become  acquainted  with  the  modern 
approach  to  the  Bible,  not  only  for  their  own  sake,  but  in  order  that  they  may 
co-operate  with  the  church  in  training  their  children  to  an  appreciation  of  the 
biblical  literature  and  teaching. 

7.  To  ministers  who  desire  to  read  wisely,  thoroughly,  and  comprehensively 
in  professional  lines  and  to  secure,  not  only  lists  of  books  on  the  subjects  which 
interest  them,  but  traveling  libraries  containing  them. 

8.  To  ministers  and  students  of  religion  who  wish  to  continue  or  to  review 
by  correspondence,  studies  included  in  a  theological  course. 

9.  To  Sunday-school  teachers  who  wish  to  gain  a  more  thorough  knowledge 
of  the  Bible  and  religious  education  than  they  are  able  to  do  without  the  guidance 
of  teachers. 


All  persons  receiving  this  Bulletin  are  requested  to  spread  a  knowledge  of 
its  contents  as  widely  as  possible  whenever  there  are  those  who  should  be  inter¬ 
ested  in  the  opportunities  offered ♦  Copies  of  Outline-Study  courses  will  be 
sent  for  examination  with  privilege  of  return .  Special  pamphlets  designed  to 
create  an  interest  in  the  study  and  teaching  of  the  Bible  are  constantly  on  bandy 
and  will  be  sent  free  of  charge . 

Address1 

THE  AMERICAN  INSTITUTE  OF  SACRED  LITERATURE 
THE  UNIVERSITY  OF  CHICAGO, 

CHICAGO,  ILL. 

1  Persons  visiting  the  University  Campus  will  find  the  office  of  the  Institute 
in  Room  11,  Haskell  Oriental  Museum. 


